What are the signs of periodontal diseases?
The following are the most common symptoms of periodontal diseases:
- Bleeding gums during brushing
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Pus between the teeth and gums (leaving a bad taste)
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- A change in the fit of partial dentures
You may have periodontal disease and not have any of these symptoms. Most people don’t experience pain with periodontal diseases. If you have any of the above symptoms, you should see a periodontist for a complete periodontal evaluation. Many people over the age of 35 develop periodontal disease.
A periodontist is a specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of periodontal disease and in the planning, placement and maintenance of dental implants. During a periodontal examination, a small measuring probe is gently placed between your tooth and gum to assess your periodontal health. Current x-rays also are viewed to observe the health of the bone below your gums. If you don’t know the state of your periodontal health, you should ask.
What is the treatment for periodontal diseases?
Once your periodontal health has been evaluated, your periodontist will work with you to determine the treatment options that are best to arrest your disease and bring you back to health. Depending on how far the diseases have progressed, treatment can vary widely. If caught in the early stages, simple procedures are done that will remove the plaque and calculus from below the gum line and eliminate the infection-causing bacteria. If these diseases have advanced to the point where the periodontal pockets are deep and the supporting bone is lost, further treatment might be necessary. Whatever the treatment may entail, the goal is to return you to good oral health and then help you maintain it. Benefits of periodontal treatment include fresh breath, a more youthful appearance, the ability to chew your food more easily and, most importantly, healthy gums that are free from infection.
1996 copyright. The American Academy of Periodontology
For more information on Periodontal Surgery and the American Academy of Periodontology visit www.perio.org
